Report: Amazon's prime idea for a smartphone

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Relaxnews

Apr 25, 2014

, Last Updated: 6:18 PM ET

Sources claim that the online retailer will subsidize data use for specific apps on its upcoming handset so that users can stream music and watch video on the go without worrying about eating into their monthly data plan.

On Tuesday BGR scored an exclusive when it published images and specifications for Amazon's long-rumored smartphone. The tech site confirmed earlier reports that the phone will indeed use six cameras, four of which will be front-facing and used to track the user's head position in order to create glasses-free 3D visuals -- something that would make it excellent for gaming and watching videos.

However, the phone's killer feature could be its cost of ownership. According to reports on Friday, Amazon could be doing a deal with AT&T in the US in order to offer something called Amazon Prime Data.

This would allow Amazon to effectively "sponsor" the data costs of some apps. The idea is that even when out and about, owners of the smartphone would be able to use Amazon's key apps without worrying about running up bigger bills.

So streaming albums or even a TV show potentially while waiting for the train wouldn't cost anything -- but for all other types of use, the owner would pay like anyone on a smartphone contract.

And because the service is going to be branded Amazon Prime Data, it also suggests that the 'free' smartphone use would be tied to having an Amazon Prime membership which, for $99, gives subscribers unlimited access to the company's catalogue of movies and TV shows and free delivery on any purchases from Amazon.com.

And while rumors about the phone have been swirling for over a year, the device is not expected to launch until this summer.